“Erinn is the girl who wears the heart costume!”

“I see her on the morning show on Joke Friday!”

“She led the pep rally for the school!”

“The first time I saw her was tech day. She walked into my classroom like she owned the place!”

“I have never talked to her before, but I love her!”

“Erinn is peppy, energetic, and fun to be around!”

“When I first saw her, I thought she was the coolest person ever!”

“I followed Erinn on Instagram, and she followed me back! I got so excited!”

“One time she gave me a fortune cookie… It was awesome!”

-Anonymous sources

It seems as though the entire student body, faculty, and staff knows who Erinn Halasinski is, but how well do they really know her? For those of you who do not know, my name is Cathleen Halasinski, and I am Erinn’s younger sister. I was asked by Alethea to write an article about being Erinn’s sister and how it impacts my life at school. Most people throughout the school know Erinn as the peppy, energetic girl who wears a heart costume and says jokes on the morning show every Friday. However, there are many other things most people do not know about Erinn. I am here to share them with you. Most people know that Erinn is the host of the weekly segment of Joke Friday on the morning show. Her corny, cheesy jokes brighten many peoples’ day. However, even before Joke Friday began, Erinn shared her “slight” obsession of jokes and puns with many of her friends. Even at home, whenever given the opportunity, Erinn would say a joke or pun that went along with the conversation. Yes, it got to be very annoying after a while. Erinn also has many strange nicknames for most of her friends, such as Waffles, Scallops, Sharkbaite, OJ, and Overalls. My parents do not even know some of Erinn’s friends’ real names, and Erinn refuses to tell them. No one really knows why Erinn feels the need to call her friends after food, and it remains a mystery to this day.

This year, Erinn began attending many of Sacred Heart’s sports games and pep rallies dressed as a giant heart. This all began one day on the ride to school in the morning when I jokingly suggested that she ask Sr. Maureen to borrow a heart costume to wear at a Sacred Heart soccer game. Of course, Erinn decided to take my suggestion and immediately got a heart costume from Sr. Maureen. Later that day, this picture was posted on Twitter:

Ever since that day, Erinn has appeared at numerous events at SHA and has led pep rallies wearing the heart costume.

Erinn also has a large collection of stories that have happened to her and her friends that she has held on to since her freshman year. One of the most well-known stories, “The Pigeon Story,” has been told many times. Even Sr. Maureen told the story at Parent Night. If you ask,  I am sure Erinn would love to tell you all about the pigeon story featuring the pigeon she named Steve.

Erinn’s “fame” at school does have an impact on my life. Many people have come up to me and asked, “Are you Erinn’s sister, because you look so much like her?!” Personally, I do not see that much of a resemblance between us. Many teachers have called me Erinn, and some have even mistaken Erinn for me. One time, Erinn even thought that I was her. I was asking her a question in the hallway and when she looked up, she jumped, thinking I was Erinn herself. In her words, “Oh my gosh! You look so much like me I thought I was talking to myself!” Okay, Erinn, okay.

Erinn has certainly left an impact on Sacred Heart and everyone in it, and she has even indirectly affected my life at school. She knows how to make herself known… All I’m saying is no one will ever forget her.

-Cathleen Halasinski, sister of Erinn Halasinski